Human Rights Watch has claimed that Israel’s use of lethal force against Palestinian demonstrators in the Gaza Strip in recent weeks may constitute war crimes.
The statement was issued ahead of an emergency UN General Assembly meeting to vote on a resolution condemning Israel’s use of force.
Palestinians have held near-weekly protests since March 30, calling for a “right of return” to ancestral homes now in Israel.
Israel: Apparent War Crimes in Gaza https://t.co/UeAlzhKGlE
— Human Rights Watch (@hrw) June 13, 2018
At least 120 Palestinians have been killed and over 3,800 wounded by Israeli fire in protests along the border.
The Israeli military has said its soldiers adhere to the rules of engagement to defend Israeli civilians and security infrastructure from attacks cloaked by the protests.
Human Rights Watch has called on the international community to “impose real costs for such blatant disregard for Palestinian lives”.
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